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Pup culture debate: Who is the best TV dog?

Okay, friends… it’s time for a little friendly debate. Of all the dogs that have appeared on television, who is the top dog?

Before we get started, the ground rules:

We’re talking fictional dogs here. A real-life hero dog or otherwise famous dog (think Uggie) who has appeared on a television news program or in a commercial doesn’t count. (Although maybe we need a sub-category of dogs in commercials. I do love Chopper, after all.)

Animated dogs totally count. Dogs that have appeared in holiday or other specials shown on television are also fair game.

Miniseries and made-for-TV movies are also in the mix. However, movies originally released in a theater and later shown on TV don’t count – that’s the subject of a future pup culture debate.

Odie – I’m not just obsessed with Garfield. I love his canine pal too. He’s not the brightest, but he sure does have a big heart.

Seymour – Unlike the other dogs on this list, Seymour appeared in one memorableepisode, the supremely moving and beautiful “Jurassic Bark” episode of Futurama. Have you seen this one? If not, you owe it to yourself as a dog lover and a human being with a soul. I got teary just typing those sentences. Um, quick… let’s watch a happy moment from that episode.

Wishbone – It’s not all animated dogs here. My mom gave me a Wishbone stuffed animal one year and it was seriously the best gift ever. I mean, it’s an adorable dog and some great books. What’s the story, Wishbone?

Vincent from Lost because, well, wasn’t he like God or something? 😉
Petey from Our Gang because “Petey was a pit bull.”
And Porthos from Star Trek: Enterprise because everybody loves Beagles.Leslie recently posted..Two steps forward, one step back

I’m glad you’ve brought this important debate front and center, where it belongs! 🙂
It’s impossible to pick just one!
* I’m a life-long lover of Snoopy, having grown up with beagles and we’ve had many of them in our family. Beagles really do a lot of the things Snoopy does (the vulture look, the leaping out and grabbing your ankle as you pass, etc.) so I really love him a lot.
* I also loved Eddie on Frasier. What an actor!
* I love, love, love Champion, the 3-legged dog on Parks & Rec (having had a fabulous 3 legger myself).
* I’ve always had a soft spot for Clifford, the Big Red Dog.
* A lesser known fave was Nunzio on Dharma & Greg. (He was the most adorable corgi, and he was technically Stinky’s dog, not Dharma’s. As Dharma explained it to Greg: “This is my dog, Stinky. And this is Stinky’s dog, Nunzio.”)

So many great additions in the comments, especially Houndstooth suggesting Santa’s Little Helper.

But no one beats Wishbone in my book. In the 1990s I tried to recover some childhood pleasures. And I was thrilled to discover a show that combined my love of dogs with history and literature. I still borrow Wishbone DVDs from the library every once in a while. I think it’s time to revisit him.Pamela | Something Wagging This Way Comes recently posted..Snoopy Really is a Beagle

Despite the fact that there was no CAT (that I can remember) in Peanuts, Snoopy has to get my vote. So many wonderful childhood memories of watching the TV specials with my mom. She’d always giggle when Snoopy would dance.
: ) GlogirlyGlogirly and Katie recently posted..Waffles Wednesday – Best Photos of 2012

No, you can’t make me choose between Wishbone and Snoopy, it’s just impossible. I won’t do it. Noooooo! One looks freaking adorable as Sherlock Holmes – and also made a hilarious Sancho Panza – and the other was an essential part of my childhood.

Also, I love that Futurama episode. It actually made my husband cry when we watched it together many years ago. Real tears. I thought that was very sweet.Kristine recently posted..Less Wordy Wednesday – You Asked For It

I vote for Lassie! Why? Because she saved everyone on the planet at some point during her movie and TV career, whether it was rescuing Timmy from a well or foiling the Nazis, Lassie did it all!Bocci’s Beefs recently posted..The Saturday Pet Blogger Hop, But First…